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 Brisbane is often referred to as 'The River City', as it is build around the meandering Brisbane River. Over recent years, many new buildings have been constructed giving the city a modern look. It is a youthful city, as many overseas students study and live in or close to the city. The most enjoyable way to get around is by 'Rivercat'. One of Brisbane's main attractions is 'Southbank' with its huge man made beach and lagoon; restaurants, cafes, pubs, shopping, and great markets on the weekends.
Touring Trips out from Brisbane.
The following list of places to visit are in order of our suggested itinerary. Naturally a trip could be planned in the reverse order.
 The Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise are World famous, mainly due to the magnificent golden sand beach that stretches 65 km from Southport to Coolangattal. Any wonder that the Gold Coast is Australia's number 1 tourist attraction. Tedder Avenue, at Main Beach, is the culinary centre with many fine restaurants.
And for family fun, Seaworld, Movieworld and Dreamworld are world-class attractions. For a bird's-eye view of the Gold Coast, Q1 offers spectacular views, some 300m high in the sky.
 Byron Bay. What a contrast from the Gold Coast! travelling down into New South Wales to Byron Bay. Take away the high-rise; take away the 'hustle & bustle'; but keep the magnificent beaches. You know you are on holidays as soon as you drive into Byron. This 'laid-back' town is an eclectic mix of 'the rich', backpackers from all parts of the world; mums, dads and families, all soaking up the sun and Byron Bay's atmosphere. The lighthouse is a great place to visit and perhaps get a glimpse of migrating whales.
 The 'Tweed'. Inland from Byron, in the hinterland, is the quaint historic village of Bangalow. With its colonial architecture and heritage shop fronts, the town is a popular place for its restaurants, cafes, crafts, arts, galleries and markets. Heading north and down the range, are magnificent views from Byron to the Queensland border. This is picturesque country with views of Mt Warning, over the Tweed River and sugar cane. Just in from Murwillumbah is Mt Warning National Park. It's worth a visit and a picnic.
 Lamington National Park. Back across the border, in the Gold Coast Hinterland, is this remarkable, World Heritage area, compromising 20,600 hectares of protected flora and fauna. It is a privilege to be able to experience such preserved areas as this. Bushwalking along the many tracks in the Park, through sub-tropical rainforests, is a wonderful experience. Lamington has it all for the nature lover: an incredible variety of wildlife, exotic plants, spectacular scenery, waterfalls, fresh air and tranquility.
 Mount Tamborine. You will feel on-top-of-the-world as you drive along the Mt Tamborine escarpment. The western side is a favourite spot for hang gliders and the views are breathtaking. Tamborine village is a good place to stop for scones and jam, and to browse through the arts and crafts shops. On the eastern escarpment are the most amazing views of the Gold Coast. (Care must be taken coming down off Mt Tamborine. It's very steep and you should obey the signs and use low gears. Take it easy!)
 Australia Zoo. Steve Irwin, the famous 'Crocodile Hunter', is sadly missed by his fans around the World; but his spirit, passion and energy are clearly evident at Australia Zoo. Terri and Bindi, and the staff have carried on Steve's great wildlife conservation and humanitarian work. The Zoo is an exciting, vibrant and fun place to be. The shows in the Crocoseum are highly entertaining and the crocodile feeding will have you on the edge of your seats. There is a fantastic range of animals to see.
 Maleny & Montville, are major tourist towns on the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Both are famous for their arts, crafts, cafes and restaurants; and a great place to try the local produce. From his deli cafe in Maleny, Colin James' award winning ice cream is divine and the wasabi cheese, from the Maleny Cheese Factory, is delicious. The views from the Blackall Range are superb, especially to the south of Maleny, over the remarkable volcanic plugs that comprise the Glass House Mountains.
 Noosa is arguably the most ideal holiday destination in Australia. The beautiful white sandy beach faces north and is generally protected from the wind. The average winter temperature is around 20C (68F) and people swim all-year-round. Hastings Street is the hub for cafes, restaurants and boutique shopping. In walking distance from Hastings Street is the Noosa National Park. The path that hugs the coastline has some of the most beautiful views over Laguna Bay, looking north towards Fraser Island. The Noosa River precinct of Noosaville is a great place to park the campervan or motorhome and have a barbeque in the park adjacent to the river. The barbeques are electric and free of charge.The Noosa Council has done a fabulous job creating this park that stretches 1.5 kms along the river. On the other side of Gympie Terrace are plenty of cafes and restaurants. Eating fish and chips in the park, watching the sunset over the river, is very popular. The world famous Eumundi Markets are only a short drive out of Noosa. Open every Saturday and Wednesday mornings, the markets have a real carnival atmosphere. Musicians from all over the World and local indigenous bands add to the atmosphere. From arts and crafts, to food and coffee, and fresh produce, you are guaranteed to find something that takes your fancy. If not, there's always the good old Aussie pubs across the road.
Hervey Bay. Because Fraser Island is only accessible by 4WD vehicles, we recommend that you use Hervey Bay as your base and take day tours to Fraser. Whale watching tours also leave from Hervey Bay from August to October.
 Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and is strikingly beautiful. With its magnificent circumference of white sandy beaches, multi-coloured sand cliffs, crystal clear rivers and lakes, and ancient rainforests; Fraser Island is high on the list of Australia's "must see" natural attractions. This special place is World Heritage listed. Its near perfect climate makes it ideal for exploring and observing the island's flora and fauna, including migratory birds and protected species such as dugongs and turtles.
 Whale Watching. Each winter, an estimated 3,000 humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Queensland's warmer coastal waters. Protected by Fraser Island, Hervey Bay is ideal for whales to rest and to to give birth. Viewing whales, some up to 15 metres in length and weighing up to 45,000kg (99,000lbs), is a fantastic and exhilarating experience. Being naturally curious, these whales will often swim up to the boats, under the boats, and then put on a spectacular show by leaping out of the water.
 Rainbow Beach. Heading back down the coast, a good detour to take is to Rainbow Beach. It's a pretty drive through thousands of acres of pine forests, and past spectacular native grass trees that take hundreds of years to grow, and that thrive after being burnt by bushfires. At Rainbow Beach you can take 4wd tours of the Coolooah National Park and the 40km beach that stretches to Noosa. A popular place to visit is the 200 metre high sandy cliffs, comprising as many as 72 different coloured sands.
 The Sunshine Coast. The final stop, before returning to Brisbane, are the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast. Driving back through Noosa and down the coast road, Coolum, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba beaches have holiday parks located right on the beach. Just pull-up your campervan or motorhome and relax. Perhaps you could learn to ride a surfboard or have a delicious seafood lunch in the local Surf Clubs; or catch up on some final shopping at the Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore. |
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| Day 1. |
Brisbane - Gold Coast. Pick up your vehicle in Brisbane and travel down to the Gold Coast. In the afternoon, you could go to Movieworld, Dreamworld or Seaworld. For a special lunch, you could go to Tedder Avenue at Main Beach. You could also go to Q1's observation deck for spectacular views over the Gold Coast and/or do some shopping in Surfers Paradise. Spend the night at southern end of Gold Coast around Coolangatta. |
| Day 2. |
Gold Coast - Byron Bay. Spend the morning on Gold Coast having relaxed breakfast; a walk along the beach; a swim. Before lunch head off down the coast via Kingscliff and Potsville. If you are feeling extremely hungry, for lunch, try a hamburger at the Moo Moo Cafe in the tiny town of Mooball. After lunch travel on to Byron Bay. To get a taste of Byron's atmosphere, you must have a pre-dinner drink at Byron Bay's Beach Hotel. |
| Day 3. |
Byron Bay. Spend whole day in Byron. Go to the beach; drive up to the lighthouse; take a short trip south to Lennox Head. The views from the lookout are beautiful. For the experienced surfboard rider, Lennox has one of the longest and biggest warm water point breaks in Australia. |
| Day 4. |
Byron Bay - Lamington National Park. Head off early to the hinterland town of Bangalow. Perhaps have breakfast; a coffee; explore the town; markets are on the 4th Sunday of every month. Head north to Murwillumbah and then a short drive south west to Mt Warning National Park for a bushwalk and picnic lunch. Head north again, back into Queensland and up into the Lamington National Park. Spend the night and the next at Binna Burra Lodge's Rainforest Campsite. (Must book in advance as there are a limited number of sites.) |
| Day 5. |
Lamington National Park. Spend the whole day in the park exploring the many walking tracks through the splendid rainforests. |
| Day 6. |
Lamington National Park - Malaney. Plan to leave early. Longer drive on day 6. (approx. 220km - allow 3.5 - 4 hrs plus stops) Just north of Lamington NP is the village of Mt Tamborine. Well worth stopping for breakfast, coffee and a browse through the arts and crafts shops. From Mt Tamborine, you can travel to Brisbane, inland via Beaudesert (nice country drive) or back via Coomera where Movieworld and Dreamworld are located. Travel north past Brisbane up to Landsborough and then up the Blackall Range to Malaney. The views down and across to the Glasshouse Mountains are spectacular, especially late in the afternoon or early morning. |
| Day 7. |
Malaney & Montville - Australia Zoo - Noosa. Spend the morning exploring Maleny & Montville's many art galleries and speciality shops before heading back down to Australia Zoo for an afternoon of fun and adventure. A short trip north to Noosa and an early dinner of fish & chips, watching the sun set over the Noosa River, is an ideal way to end the day. |
| Day 8. |
Noosa. Spend the whole day in Noosa, simply relaxing on the beach, shopping, having a barbeque lunch by the Noosa River, walking in the National Park and/or going to Eumundi Markets on a Saturday or Wednesday morning. And if you don't want to cook for dinner, there are many restaurants in Hastings Street and along the Noosa River to suite your taste and budget. |
| Day 9. |
Noosa - Hervey Bay. No need to rush. Enjoy the morning in Noosa having a barbecue breakfast by the river; a swim in the river; perhaps throw a line in or just sit back and read a book. The distance from Noosa to Hervey Bay is approx. 180km, so you should allow 3hrs. |
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Day's
10&11.
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Hervey Bay - Fraser Island. There are so many great things to see and do, you should allow either two days to experience Fraser Island, or one day on Fraser and the other Whale Watching (August to October). |
| Day 12. |
Hervey Bay - Rainbow Beach. Leave reasonably early to meet the 4wd tour of the 'Coloured Sands'. Alternatively, spend the rest of the day on the beach. |
| Day 13. |
Rainbow Beach - Sunshine Coast. Travel back to Noosa and stay or drive down the coast road to Coolum, Maroochydore or Mooloolaba beaches. Spend your last day relaxing, swimming, surfing, having a seafood lunch at one of the Surf Clubs and doing some shopping. |
| Day 14. |
Sunshine Coast - Brisbane. Return vehicle to Brisbane. Allow 1.5hrs and much more if you are getting a flight out of Brisbane. Start planning your next fabulous campervan or motorhome holiday in Australia. |
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